Victor Lindelof: Is the Swedish defender better than Eric Bailly?

United officially announced the Sweden international's transfer on Wednesday evening, with the 22-year-old - who cost in the region of £30.7 million - signing a four-year contract. "So I can see us up there challenging for the title next season".

Manager Jose Mourinho was a known admirer of Lindelof and told Manchester United'sofficial website that he's delighted to have secured the services of the youngster. And just as he based a series of United sides on the centre-back pairings of Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister, then Jaap Stam and Ronny Johnsen, followed by Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, Mourinho's immediate concern has been to set the tone from the back.

United boss Jose Mourinho is now on the brink of landing his man after drawn-out negotiations, despite the Sweden worldwide recently playing down talk of a switch between the two sides being imminent.

Built like a traditional centre-back and standing at 6ft 2in, Lindelof also possesses the mobility and technical ability to play as a right-back, as he has done on several occasions at global level.

Liverpool are also monitoring Keane's situation, with the 24-year-old still expected to leave Turf Moor in the coming weeks.

He becomes the most expensive defender in United history, outstripping the £29.1m paid to Leeds United for Rio Ferdinand in 2002.

United recorded 15 draws in 38 league matches last term and Robson is confident that is an area they will address providing Mourinho makes the right additions in the transfer window. "No one gets anything cheap from Europe because it's the Premier League".

Their chances of preserving a Premier League spot - and the riches that comes with - would be severely enhanced in the unlikely event of Keane staying. The player, along with Phil Jones, were hailed as the future centre-back partnership for both Manchester United and England.

'I have enjoyed my time at Benfica enormously and I have learned a lot there. Having begun the year winning the Community Shield, United beat Southampton to claim the League Cup, while they finished the campaign beating Ajax in the Europa League final. The player is also likely to be available in a cut-price deal as well, which could make the signing even more lucrative for Arsenal.